Two 15-year-old boys allegedly recruited by warring gangs have been charged after an investigation into early-morning shootings at homes in Western Sydney.
Taskforce Falcon investigators probing shootings at Merrylands and Guildford West earlier this year swooped on the pair this afternoon.
The bullets allegedly travelled through the bedrooms and bedheads where a woman and her four children, aged between six months and five, were sleeping.
The family escaped unharmed, though one of the bullets missed a five-year-old boy by only 20 centimetres.
Taskforce Falcon Commander Detective Superintendent Jason Box alleged the shooting was a case of mistaken identity as the main offender left a threatening note believed to be intended for the previous tenants who had links to an organised criminal network. 
“They had moved out some months previous,” Box told reporters today.
A Nissan X-Trail that had allegedly been stolen from Rouse Hill in September was found burnt-out in South Granville later that same day.
Box alleged the other boy had driven the shooter to and from the home and helped him destroy the car.
A 26-year-old woman inside at the time was uninjured.
Box alleged she had a relationship with a member of an organised criminal network.
A Hyundai Tucson that was allegedly stolen from Marsden Park in March was found burnt out on Birmingham Avenue in Villawood.
Box said one of the 15-year-olds was identified as the alleged gunman in both incidents.
He was arrested at Condell Park this afternoon and taken to Bankstown Police Station, where he was charged with several offences.
Police arrested the other 15-year-old boy at Penrith Police Station for his alleged involvement in the Merrylands shooting.
Both were refused bail and due to face a children’s court today. 
Box alleged the boys had carried out the shootings on behalf of gangs, who were recruiting young people through encrypted group chats to commit crimes against rival criminal groups.
“There was no connection between any intended targets and we allege these 15-year-olds simply took this action, this job, to target these people for financial gain,” he said.
“What these young men need to understand is this is not a game, this is real. They’re using real weapons, they’re putting the lives of real people at risk.
“They will be arrested, they will go before the courts, they will go to jail and they also putting themselves and their families at risk.”
Box said recruits were putting their own lives at risk and warned that rival gangs would retaliate.
“There will be repercussions for their actions, if not by us through arresting them, through them being targeted themselves,” he said. 
“That threat could extend to their families.
“I strongly suggest that anyone is involved in any aspect of these crimes to come forward now and see us before they find you.”
